Pennsylvania Democrats worked to find solutions to provide students with quality, reliable internet access and equipment as a way to reimagine the education system and close the digital divide during a virtual public hearing Tuesday.
Hosted by state Reps. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia), Pam Snyder (D-Greene/Fayette/Washington), Peter Schweyer (D-Lehigh), and Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia), the virtual hearing brought together educators and communications experts to discuss how to address the issue of internet access for all.
“Ultimately, a public-private partnership and investment will be needed to overcome the digital divide. Quality internet access and devices are an essential part of a quality 21st-century education, and Pennsylvania students and educators should be set up for success,” Policy Chairman Ryan Bizzarro said.
Hillary Linardopoulos, legislative representative for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers; Lawrence Jones, CEO of Richard Allen Prep; and Dr. Robin Cooper from the Philadelphia Principals Union, testified to legislators their experiences during the pandemic, as well as the challenges educators faced in keeping students and educations connected to provide quality education.
Cooper said broadband access and educational supports have a direct impact on student opportunities and career potential.
“At the start of the pandemic, there were about 3,000 Allentown School District households that didn’t have access to the internet,” said Schweyer. “This isn’t a failing of the school district but rather a failure of our society to recognize that access to the internet in the 21st Century is a basic human need. From education to health care to employment to grocery shopping, reliable and affordable high-speed internet is a necessity.”
Witnesses at the hearing said that lack of access disproportionately impacts Black and Hispanic students.
“The current pandemic has shown us how imperative it is that we all are connected with reliable broadband access – whether we’re a student, a business owner, a farmer, or a health care provider. Having affordable, accessible internet access is vital to our communities, large and small,” said Snyder. “We had a very productive discussion during today’s hearing, and I’m confident that my colleagues and I can move forward on our efforts to bridge the current digital divide.”